Book through Thursday - Bedside Reading

If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

What books do you have next to your bed right now? How about other places in the house? What are you reading?

My answer...

I have 270 books next to my bed...okay, so it's actually my Nook next to my bed and I have 270 books stored on it. LOL I'm only reading one book, though. Pride and Prejudice. I can't believe I never read this before.

Other places in the house? Don't ask...my guest room is still towering over with a million books. Those are my print books that are now terribly ignored in favor of my ereader.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A-Z Wednesday

This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.

Post:

1~ a photo of the book

2~ title and synopsis

3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)

4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.

Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.

(We all love comments, don't we?)

Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "P"

This week I'm going with a book that's been on my TBR forever and part of a series that I love, so I'm not sure why I haven't gotten around to it yet.



A synopsis from Janet Evanovich's website

A Between-the-Numbers Novel

Turn on all the lights and check under your bed. Things are about to get spooky in Trenton, New Jersey.


According to legend, the Jersey Devil prowls the Pine Barrens and soars above the treetops in the dark of night. As eerie as this might seem, there are things in the Barrens that are even more frightening and dangerous. And there are monkeys. Lots of monkeys.

Wulf Grimoire is a world wanderer and an opportunist who can kill without remorse and disappear like smoke. He's chosen Martin Munch, boy genius, as his new business partner, and he's chosen the Barrens as his new playground.

Munch received his doctorate degree in quantum physics when he was twenty-two. He's now twenty-four, and while his brain is large, his body hasn't made it out of the boys' department at Macy's. Anyone who says good things come in small packages hasn't met Munch. Wulf Grimoire is looking for world domination. Martin Munch would be happy if he could just get a woman naked and tied to a tree.

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has Munch on her most-wanted list for failure to appear in court. Plum is the all-American girl stuck in an uncomfortable job, succeeding on luck and tenacity. Usually she gets her man. This time she gets a monkey. She also gets a big guy named Diesel.

Diesel pops in and out of Plum's life like birthday cake - delicious to look at and taste, not especially healthy as a steady diet, gone by the end of the week if not sooner. He's an uber bounty hunter with special skills when it comes to tracking men and pleasing women. He's after Grimoire, and now he's also after Munch. And if truth were told, he wouldn't mind setting Stephanie Plum in his crosshairs.

Diesel and Plum hunt down Munch and Grimoire, following them into the Barrens, surviving cranberry bogs, the Jersey Devil, a hair-raising experience, sand in their underwear, and, of course . . . monkeys.

Award for Socrates' Book Reviews

How exciting! I received an award from kavyen at Reading between Pages . I'm so excited about this - thank you kavyen!!!

The rules for passing on the award are – “To accept it, you must leave a comment on the post you were nominated on, make a list and post the last five books you read, then pass the award on to five other bloggers. Do also identify the blog from which you got the award”

Here is the list of the last five books I read:

1. Making the Rounds with Oscar by David Dosa, MD
2. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
3. Step on A Crack by James Patterson
4. 7th Heaven by James Patterson
5. Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

The five blogs I'm passing this along to are...

1. Suko at Suko's Notebook
2. Nicola at Back to Books
3. Teddy Rose at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
4. Marg at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader
5. Nise at Under the Boardwalk

Interview and book giveaway with Author Michele Ashman Bell hosted by Linda Weaver Clarke

From Linda Weaver Clarke...


May 24 – 31: Interview with Author Michele Ashman Bell for young adult novel “Summer In Paris.” I read it and loved it, so it’s good for adults, too. This book is about a 16-year-old spoiled rich girl who is sent to her cousins for the summer in Paris, Idaho. She never realized such a place existed! Feeling like she's been sentenced to three months in Hickville Prison, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, wash her own clothes, gather eggs, hoe the garden, etc. She feels like she's about to die until she meets handsome Adam White whose got a deep secret. This book is quite humorous and I found myself laughing out loud. Visit http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/2010/05/interview-with-author-michele-ashman.html and leave a comment if you’re interested in this book.

Every Monday I try to have a new book give away! If you’re interested in getting to know new authors, don’t forget to check out my past interviews if you haven’t.

Sincerely,
Linda Weaver Clarke

Mailbox Monday - May 24th

If you'd like to join in on Mailbox Monday, just click the button above.

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

Genre: Christian Fiction, Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 2010-05-23

Seven years ago Lexi Solomon’s family was hit by tragedy. Her sister was brutally murdered, her father had a mental breakdown and her husband walked out on her on the very same day. Lexi was left to raise her daughter alone while she juggled two jobs just to make ends meet.

Lexi is barely hanging on when she’s thrown another curve. After all these years, her sister’s murderer is being released on parole and her estranged husband returns. An old business associate of her husband also re-enters her life, but he’s threatening to destroy everything she has left unless she pays off her husband’s debts.

When her daughter’s life is threatened, Lexi puts all her own feelings aside to protect the young girl. It doesn’t take her long to realize she can’t do this on her own. She needs the help of her family, as well as some strange outside forces, to keep her daughter safe.

This is Ms. Healy’s first solo book. Previously she co-authored books with author Ted Dekker. I’ve never read her books before, but this was a captivating read. It was filled with suspense, mystery, romance and a few chills along the way. This book even had a touch of paranormal tossed in to make this one of those books you won’t want to put down until you find out how it all ends.

Sunday Salon - Season Finales

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

The end of the TV season is here and it's particularly sad for me because I'm losing two of my favorite TV shows forever - Lost and 24. On one hand, I think it's time for both shows to come to an end. They've gone as far as they can with them, but I'm really going to miss them. TV won't be the same without them.





My reading time has been cut down because of all the season finales, but I'm sure it will pick up again in the next couple of weeks.

I'm planning on a trip to the Dominican Republic soon so I'm intending on catching up with my reading then.

This week I completed two books. One audio Step On A Crack and one Ebook 7th Heaven. Both are by James Patterson.

Now I'm reading Never Let You Go by Erin Healy for a review.

I hope you all have a great week.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Contest Winners!

WE HAVE CONTEST WINNERS!!!!

Margie
Diane
TeddyRose
Susan
Dawn M

Suko
Debbie F
Arch

Elise
Anne-Marie T
LA Musing

Christine
Kavyen
rubynreba

All winners were chosen with the List Randomizer and have already been notified by e-mail. If I don't hear from any of them by Tuesday, a new winner will be chosen.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!!!

7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

The Women’s Murder Club is back with one of their toughest cases yet. Detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin investigate a fire in a wealthy home which resulted in the death of a married couple. They soon realize they have a serial arsonist on their hands as one wealthy home after another is burned always leaving behind married couples burned to death. The detectives race against the clock to track down the evil culprits before anyone else is killed.

Another case falls into their lap, the son of a wealthy couple is missing. They fear he is dead, but they have no evidence. Finally, a lead is sent their way but will they get some answers or just more questions?

As Lindsay deals with these deadly cases, she also must deal with her complicated love life. Her current boyfriend, Joe, wants to get married. She loves him, but she discovers she has feelings for her partner, Rich. Lindsay is quite confused and hopes her friends from the Women’s Murder Club can help her figure it out.

Another great story from one of my favorite authors, James Patterson. I’ve loved this series from the first book and I still love it even after all these years. I always feel like I’m riding a roller coaster when I read a James Patterson novel and this one is no different. It’s fast-paced, exciting and every time I read on of the WMC books I feel like I’m revisiting old friends.





For reading challenges…

James Patterson Reading Challenge
Women’s Murder Club Reading Challenge
RYOB Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge

Step on a Crack by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

This is the first book of James Patterson’s new Michael Bennett series. Michael is a NYPD homicide detective.

In this one, Michael more than has his hands full. During a high profile funeral attended by many celebrities, the services are taken over by a group of vicious kidnappers looking to cash in on the success of their victims. They are demanding millions of dollars in ransom from each celebrity they are holding hostage. It’s up to Michael to try and stop the cruelty the kidnappers are inflicting on their captives.

While this is going on, Michael is dealing with his cancer stricken wife who is now confined to a hospital bed. The couple are the parents of ten adopted children, all from different ethnic backgrounds. Michael is on the verge of collapse trying to protect New York City as well as his own family’s problems.

Step on a Crack really tugs at the heartstrings. Readers can’t help but feel devastated for all Michael is going through, especially with his family situation. The story does get violent in parts and is cringe-worthy, but these are the James Patterson books that I tend to like the best. He’s so good at keeping readers at the edge-of-their-seat. One minute you are yelling at the evilness of the kidnappers and the next you are crying for Michael’s dying wife.

So far, there are three books in the series. I had to read the third book Worst Case first because of a review (I never read books out of order), but I do wish I had read Step on a Crack first as it gave me a chance to see how Michael’s personal life got to where it was in Worst Case. I’m looking forward to reading the second book, but I’m not sure yet when I’ll get to it. All in all, a great read. I should say a great “listen” as I heard this one on audio.



For reading challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge
James Patterson Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge

WWW Wednesdays

If you'd like to play along with WWW Wednesdays, just click the button above.


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers...

What are you currently reading?



What did you recently finish reading?



What do you think you’ll read next?



and

Musing Mondays - Books to Movies

If you'd like to join in on Musing Mondays, just click the button above.

Musing Mondays2Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about movies based on books…

What happens when you see a movie based on a book/story, especially one you’ve not read? Do you feel the need to track it down and read it?

My answer...

I used to insist upon reading the book before I'd see the movie. However, recently, I go with whatever fits the timing. I still haven't read The Reader or Revolutionary Road, but I've seen both movies because they were out and my husband wanted to see them too. The same thing happened with Twilight. I realize, now, that it doesn't really matter.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Mailbox Monday - May 17th

If you'd like to join in on Mailbox Monday, just click the button above.

I had a decent week, here's what I received - three are for review and the Criminal Minds book is from Paperbackswap.

Sunday Salon - Changes in reading tastes

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.


It was a slow reading week for me. I only finished one book "Living Dead in Dallas" by Charlaine Harris. I did start to listen to the audio version of James Patterson's "Step On A Crack" (the first in his Michael Bennett series) and I'm reading "7th Heaven" by James Patterson (Women's Murder Club Series). So, I'm overdosing on James Patterson this week. LOL I do have several books waiting for my review, but I have to finish these first because they are due back to the library.

For some reason I've been thinking about the changes in my reading tastes over the years. I used to love Harlequin Romances and could devour them. I mean the original HR series - the sweeter stories. Over the years Harlequin expanded to longer books and spicier ones...with their expansion, my tastes expanded as well. The longer books - with more of a plot to them - are more to my tastes now.

Besides Harlequin, I used to love paranormal books - vampires, werewolves, etc. etc. I loved them all. Now, I do enjoy some paranormal books, but not as much as I used to. I, also, loved western romances and now not so much.

I do read all kinds of books, including the ones I mentioned, but my reading tastes have changed.

Also, thanks to the blogging world, I'm more willing to read books I never would have read before. I have 4 Jane Austen books on my Nook waiting to be read. I never would have even tried them before, which is strange since my original reading genre of choice was romance - another change because my reading genre of choice now is mystery and suspense.

I hope everyone has a great week!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Romance, Paranormal

Sookie Stackhouse is back in the second book of the Southern Vampire Mysteries and she has her hands full. She is viciously attacked by a maenad and she’s hanging on for dear life. With the vampires help, she lives, but the cost is pretty high.

As payment for their assistance, they ask Sookie to use her telepathy powers to find a kidnapped vampire. Sookie and her vampire boyfriend Bill head to Dallas to try and locate the missing vampire. Sookie runs into all kinds of foes and has to deal with some sex addicted friends as well as enemies, but with Bill and his friends protecting her, she does fine.

When she returns home, she is faced with trying to figure out who committed a gruesome murder and framed a local detective.

I enjoyed this book and it was great to pay another visit to Sookie and her friends. I watched the first season of True Blood (the TV series based on the books), but we no longer have HBO so I never saw the second. I’ll probably get the DVDs at some point, but for now, I’m enjoying plowing through this series. I love Sookie and Bill and definitely want to read more about them.





For Reading Challenge:

Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Challenge
What’s in a Name 3 Reading Challenge

Book through Thursday - Who Influences Your Reading?

If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

Are your book choices influenced by friends and family? Do their recommendations carry weight for you? Or do you choose your books solely by what you want to read?

My answer...

It all depends on who the recommendation is from. If it's from someone who has the same reading tastes, then I'll go with the recommendation. I don't really have friends and family who like to read, so any book recommendations come from fellow bloggers and online reading groups I belong to.

There is a woman who runs a local used bookstore and she often gives me recommendations. I do listen to her since we have the same reading tastes and almost always agree on books.

I don't take reviews from magazines or places like Amazon seriously, though. The reviews have to be from someone I know for me to listen to them. Magazine and Amazon reviews I read just for the synopsis of the book to decide if I'll like it.

Since I've joined the blogging world, the best reviews and recommendations come from fellow bloggers, though.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A-Z Wednesday

This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.

Post:

1~ a photo of the book

2~ title and synopsis

3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)

4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.

Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.

(We all love comments, don't we?)

Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "N"

This synopsis is from Sharon Kahn's website. I haven't read it yet, but it's in my TBR waiting for me :)

Forget everything your mother ever told you about chicken soup -- Temple Rita's version is lethal. That's why Ruby Rothman is back on the case in Sharon Kahn's tale of Jewish life in small-town Eternal, Texas.

Life in Eternal is never dull for forty-six-year-old Ruby, recently widowed from Rabbi Stu. As part-owner of The Hot Bagel bakery and the proprietor of a computer consulting business, Ruby has plenty to keep her busy. There's also her nemesis, Essie Sue Margolis, who won't leave her alone. As new owner of the Center for Bodily Movement, formerly known as Sam's Gym, Essie Sue has enlisted all her friends and adversaries for exercise classes with her new trainer, the mysterious Bogie. Who is Bogie and where did he come from? Nobody seems to know much about him, except that where Bogie is concerned, Essie Sue's checkbook ink seems to flow.

Speaking of cash, Essie Sue is also leading Temple Rita's fund-raising drive for a large Queen Esther statue to be erected in memory of Essie Sue's late,hardcover lamented sister Marla. And what better way to raise money than the Annual Temple Matzo Ball Sale featuring Essie Sue's personal recipe for fat-free, salt-free matzo balls? Of course they are taste-free, too. At least they aren't lethal -- or are they?

Never Nosh A Matzo Ball delivers suspense and subplots, comic relief and eccentric characters, and of course, more Ruby, a character who could only have been created by an author who was herself for many years a rabbi's wife.

Teaser Tuesdays - May 11th

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I'm reading



Andy Bellefleur was as drunk as a skunk. This wasn't normal for Andy believe me, I know all the drunks in Bon Temps. Working at Sam Merlotte's bar for several years has pretty much introduced me to all of them. But Andy Bellefleur, native son and detective on Bon Temps's small police force, had never been drunk in Merlotte's before. I was mighty curious as to why tonight was an exception. Andy and I aren't friends by any stretch of the imagination, so I couldn't ask him outright. But other means were open to me, and I decided to use them.

Monday Musings - Making time to read

If you'd like to join in on Musing Mondays, just click the button above.

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about making time to read...

Do you have to carve out time in your day for reading (due to work and other obligations), or does your reading just happen naturally? (Question courtesy of MizB)

My answer...

Yes, absolutely - I'm always trying to find time in the day to read and there's never enough! I try to read a little before I go to work, then at lunch time, then just before I go to sleep. It's hard juggling a full time job with my TV and computer addictions. If I cut down on TV and going online so much, I could fit in much more reading time, but I like to do everything. LOL

So, how do you find the time to read?





see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Mailbox Monday - May 10th

If you'd like to join in on Mailbox Monday, just click the button above.

I haven't been posting for the last few weeks because I haven't received anything, but this week I did. Both books are for reviews: